Deadline Sept 30 to weigh in on CAFO planned for Lake Superior

On February 13, 2015, the Department of Natural Resources received a final Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit application for Badgerwood, LLC, a proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in Bayfield County. WPDES permits are water quality protection permits designed to ensure proper storage and handling of manure from larger-scale livestock operations. The WPDES permit program does not have authority to address odor, noise, traffic or other issues not related to water quality.

The operation would house approximately 7,500 sows, 18,750 pigs, and 100 boars. This is equal to 6,162 animal units. Structures at the site would include three barns with concrete manure storage structures located under each barn, to provide more than 180 days of liquid manure storage. Manure would be removed from storage and land applied according to an approved nutrient management plan.

EIS process

The department decided, pursuant to s. NR 150.20(4)(b), Wis. Adm. Code, to use the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process as the best approach to achieve WEPA compliance for the proposed Badgerwood swine operation. This allows citizens to have input.

Thought you might be interested in how this tribe is dealing with the corruption in WI that is destroying their sacred ceremonial sites, depleting their groundwater and exposing them to hazardous silica dust.

For Immediate Release
Written by Juliee de la Terre MS
10567 Hyw A
Viola, WI 54664
608-632-2216
Ho-Chunk Nation Gives Rights to Nature
Ho-Chunk Nation adds “Rights of Nature” to their constitution
Madison, Wisconsin, September 19, 2015
Over nineteen hundred Ho-Chunk tribal members gathered on a balmy early afternoon at the Alliant
Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin on September 19th, for the annual General Council. Major tribal
issues are taken up and voted on by a quorum of the Ho-Chunk population.
The Ho-Chunk tribe has been severely affected by the unregulated effects of frac sand mining, Bakken
oil transport, high capacity wells and industrial agriculture to name a few. Near Tomah, sacred
ceremony grounds are now surrounded by four frac sand mines which interrupts ancient cultural
practices with blowing silica dust,twenty four hour light pollution and truck traffic essentially turning
the area into an industrial zone. Historically, the Ho-Chunk people respect the natural world and
believe that when nature is viewed as only property it no longer has rights or value.
Tribal member William Greendeer introduced a resolution to amend the Ho-Chunk constitution that
would give rights to nature. It passed by a majority. “This is so exciting” says Greendeer, “now maybe
we can finally keep our water, air and environment healthy by having a larger say in what activities
happen in our communities.”
Juliee de la Terre, adjunct professor at Viterbo University has been working with William for quite a
while on this issue. “The Rights of Nature” is more than an legal instrument it is an international
movement meant to acknowledge that all natural systems need to be preserved in order for our planet to
remain habitable.”
“The Ho-Chunk Nation has always respected the earth, says William, but we were made to adopt a
constitution based on roman law that makes humans more important than everything else. By passing
this resolution we are acknowledging how important nature is. We are just one part of Mother Earth,
not the center of it.”
for more information go to www.http://therightsofnature.org/

I cannot believe this is even a consideration, to allow a factory farm with so much in animal waste along with such a high risk of negative environmental impact in such close proximity to any body of water, let alone the worlds LARGEST body of fresh water. Is anyone taking this seriously with the power to stop this. Or has lining your pockets have such a hold on you, your vision of the future world we leave our children dose not exists?

this is NOT A FARM, but a factory. I do not support factory farms, anywhere but especially at this location with water, air and quality of life for all inhabitants at risk. Besides the cruelty issues for these animals, No safe guards are 100% to protect the environment. There are many reasons why this company wants to set up shop in northern WI, we can not let that happen.

Please do not allow pig farms into Northern WI. People all over the USA and beyond, depend upon us to be good stewards of the land and to do our very best to protect the clarity and purity of Lake Superior. The potential risk for everyone is far too great and long lasting in comparison with the possible gain for just a few.

PLEASE JOIN US in standing UNITED IN DEFENSE OF THE WATER. Add your email to the growing coalition of concerned citizens who are taking action to protect Lake Superior and all the waters of Wisconsin and the world.